Thessaloniki, Greece is my favorite city in the world. I used to live there when I was studying at university and found that it’s a paradise on Earth for a foodie like me. There’s a bakery to discover on every corner and tavernas to satisfy your appetite in every neighborhood.
If you’re planning to visit Thessaloniki, here are my five suggestions for a quick bite that will give you a taste of what the city has to offer.
1. Koulouri (Κουλούρι)
There’s no better way to start your day lightly than having a koulouri. Koulouri is a type of bread shaped like a ring covered in different toppings such as sesame, sunflower seeds, and more. The best koulouri is crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside.
The best part? You can find koulouri everywhere. You can buy one from a street vendor or at any bakery. A great place to have a delicious koulouri is Αφοι Σταγκίδη.
**2.**Mpougatsa (Μπουγάτσα)Are you someone who needs a bit more than a koulouri to satisfy your hunger in the morning? Then your answer is mpougatsa—a phyllo pastry with many fillings. You can enjoy mpougatsa with cream, white cheese, minced meat, or chocolate. My all-time favorite has custard cream inside and is topped with powdered sugar and cinnamon powder.
You may ask what’s the difference between a mpougatsa and a regular Greek white cheese pie? Mpougatsa has many layers of phyllo inside which makes a huge difference when it comes to taste!
One place to have a good mpougatsa in Thessaloniki is Το Χρυσό.
3. Carioca (Καριόκα)
When visiting a house in Greece, it’s customary for the host to treat you to a chocolate praline or a small chocolate praline cake. Carioca is one such type of chocolate praline cake that will fulfill your need for chocolate. It consists of a fluffy cake with walnuts, coated in chocolate.
You can have some of the best carioca at Agapitos Patisserie, where the friendly staff will make you feel at home.
4. Tsoureki (Τσουρέκι)
Tsoureki is a type of sweet bread that we eat mostly during Easter in Greece. What took tsoureki to the next level? Coated in dark, milk, or white chocolate and having a variety of fillings—from chocolate to chestnut—you can enjoy it all year long. I can’t say that I have a favorite flavor because it’s hard to choose just one.
To try the most famous version of the chocolate tsoureki, let the aroma lead you into one of the Terkenlis sweet shops.
5. Trigona panoramatos (Τρίγωνα Πανοράματος)
Aren’t convinced yet? If you’re not so fond of chocolate but want to try something sweet, then head over to Mélie and order their trigona panoramatos. This is probably the pastry Thessaloniki is most famous for!
Trigona panoramatos are made with puff pastry sheets, dipped in sugar syrup and filled with heavy cream. This is a must-try dessert and you shouldn’t leave the city without having one.
You can easily find all the patisseries in the city center. If you get lost, the locals are always happy to help you find your way around.
What food is your city famous for? Share with us in the comments below.